Revisit the memory of First Time Blood Donation

Yesterday, I returned from the gym after a heavy workout. While recovering, I received a text from someone asking me to donate blood for a cancer patient. I checked whether I was eligible to donate. After confirming that I was, I gave my affirmation. In reply, I received the location, time, and the contact number of the patient’s relative.

Today, after contacting the relative, I went to the hospital and met the caller. After basic greetings, I learned that I had to donate platelets to the patient—and the patient was the caller’s father.

The funny fact is, it was the same place where I donated blood for the first time, and that was also for a cancer patient. Back then, the patient was the father of one of my very close friends.

I have experience with blood donation, but platelet donation was something new for me. It took almost an hour to complete the process. For those who have never donated platelets, take note: a light-orange, jelly-like liquid is extracted from your blood, and the remaining blood is returned to your body. I know I haven’t explained it in the proper medical way—I’m just sharing my experience. Your veins need to be healthy and thick; otherwise, the process can be a little painful. This procedure is also costly.

While donating platelets, I revisited the memory lane of my first blood donation. It was almost a decade ago, when I was a student. That evening, I was tutoring a student at their residence when my friend called and asked if I could donate blood. After giving a positive affirmation, I rushed to the hospital near my home.

First, they took a blood sample to cross-check it with the patient’s blood. It probably took around 1.5 hours. During that time, I was advised to eat something and drink water for safety. After the tests were completed, the donation time arrived. I was both nervous and a little scared—but it went well. After the donation, I was advised to rest for at least 10 minutes. The overall process took nearly 2.5 hours.

After that experience, I never felt nervous about blood donation again.

That was what I was thinking about during platelet donation. The memory made me a little nostalgic and reminded me of a simple truth:

“How time flies.”